LightSquared Appoints New CEO as Company Works through Bankruptcy

LightSquared, the USA network that tried to build a wholesale LTE network before being blocked has named a new CEO and Chairman.

The new CEO, Doug Smith was previously serving as co-chief operating officer
for the company while it tries to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

"LightSquared remains committed to working with all stakeholders to find an
equitable resolution to the regulatory challenges that the company has faced
this past year," Mr. Smith said.

Previously, Mr. Smith served as LightSquared's chief network officer and
was responsible for LightSquared's network design, deployment and operations,
helping to develop its technical characteristics. Prior to his service at
LightSquared, he held a number of leadership positions at Clearwire and Sprint
Nextel.

Regulators blocked the network from launching its services following concerns
that it would interfere with GPS receivers. The company countered that the
receivers were using its spectrum illegally and it had developed fixes for the
receivers anyway.

However, the regulator ruled that the risk was too great and blocked the
service.

LightSquared's previous CEO, Sanjiv Ahuja resigned from the company in
February, while Philip Falcone, who backed the company to the tune of US$3
billion through Harbinger Capital Partners has been under pressure to resign his
position on the board of directors.